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The new centers are in Suffolk County: in Huntington Station and Riverhead.
Located at the Dolan Family Health Center at 284 Pulaski Road in Greenlawn, the site, staffed by clinicians, opened on Monday, Nov. 30 and will provide up to 150 diagnostic tests a day now through Friday, Dec. 18.
Business was brisk: Dr. William Gehrhardt, medical director of the Dolan Family Health Center, swabbed dozens of patients on Tuesday, Dec. 1 who lined up early on the second day the site was open.
A second testing site has been opened in Riverhead, another emerging hotspot, at 1 Heroes Way on the grounds of Peconic Bay Medical Center. It’s also offering free, diagnostic testing until Dec. 18.
“Testing saves lives and we do not want to revisit the worst of this pandemic,” said Nick Fitterman, MD, executive director of Huntington Hospital. “The health care heroes that I work alongside are prepared for what’s ahead, but my hope is that educating everyone to the dangers COVID-19 poses – and by remaining vigilant – we’ll flatten the curve.”
“We've taken a proactive approach to addressing the second wave of COVID-19, and the task at hand is to do everything we can to get these numbers back under control and to save lives,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said at a media briefing outside the testing center. “We know from experience that testing is one of the most valuable tools when it comes to combatting this virus.
"This new community testing site will allow us to identify the positive cases, isolate these individuals, and quarantine anyone who might have been exposed to ultimately reduce the transmission of this virus.”
Said Town of Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci: “While it’s important to continue to follow the safety guidelines – wearing masks, washing hands, staying home if you are sick – it's just as important to know if you have been exposed so that you don't infect your loved ones, especially older and immuno-compromised friends and family, since the virus can spread even if you're not showing any symptoms.
“Please get tested. Testing is readily available and it’s free.”
Appointments with Northwell can by calling Northwell Health's COVID-19 Hotline at 833-422-7369.
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